Watching the Penguin Parade is one of the highlights of visiting Phillip Island. Every evening, visitors gather along the coast to watch Little Penguins return from the ocean and make their way home after a day at sea.
While General Viewing offers a fantastic way to experience this natural wildlife encounter, some visitors choose to upgrade their viewing experience for something a little different.
Two of the most popular options are Penguins Plus and Underground Viewing.
Both offer unique ways to see the penguins, but the experience is quite different. One provides a more intimate outdoor viewing area, while the other offers an up-close perspective from a sheltered indoor space.
So, which Penguin Parade upgrade is right for you?
What Is General Viewing at the Penguin Parade?
Before comparing the upgrades, it’s helpful to understand the standard viewing experience.
General Viewing is already included with standard Penguin Parade admission and provides access to the main beachfront viewing stands and boardwalks.
From here, visitors can watch the penguins emerge from the ocean before crossing the beach and making their way towards their burrows.
For many guests, General Viewing is already an incredible experience. However, visitors looking for a smaller viewing area or a different perspective may choose to upgrade.
What Is Penguins Plus?
Penguins Plus is a premium outdoor viewing experience at the Penguin Parade.
The viewing platform has limited capacity and is located in one of the most active penguin arrival areas, giving guests excellent opportunities to watch the penguins as they come ashore.
With fewer visitors in the viewing area, Penguins Plus offers a more intimate atmosphere compared to General Viewing.
This option is particularly popular with visitors who want to feel closer to the beach arrival experience while still enjoying a more comfortable viewing environment.
Penguins Plus may be a good choice if you:
- Want to watch the penguins arrive from an outdoor viewing area
- Prefer a smaller, more exclusive viewing space
- Want to be closer to the penguin arrival pathway
- Enjoy experiencing wildlife in an open coastal setting
What Is Underground Viewing?
Underground Viewing offers a completely different way to experience the Penguin Parade.
Instead of watching from an outdoor platform, guests enter a sheltered indoor viewing area with large windows positioned at eye level with the penguins.
From here, visitors can watch the Little Penguins as they travel along one of the island’s busiest penguin pathways.
The experience provides a unique perspective that you won’t get from the beachfront viewing areas.
It’s important to note that Underground Viewing does not include views of the penguins arriving from the ocean or crossing the beach. However, live footage of the beach arrival is available inside the viewing area.
Underground Viewing may be a good choice if you:
- Want to see penguins from a unique eye-level perspective
- Prefer a sheltered indoor viewing area
- Want a closer look at penguin behaviour along their pathway
- Prefer a different experience from traditional beachfront viewing
Penguins Plus vs Underground Viewing: What’s the Difference?
The main difference comes down to the type of experience you want.
Penguins Plus focuses on the moment the penguins arrive. From an outdoor viewing platform, guests can watch the penguins come ashore in a more intimate setting with fewer visitors around.
Underground Viewing focuses on getting a different perspective. Instead of watching the beach arrival, guests can observe the penguins at eye level as they move along their pathway.
Both options provide a memorable way to experience the Penguin Parade — they simply highlight different parts of the penguins’ journey home.
Which Penguin Parade Upgrade Should You Choose?
There is no single “best” upgrade. The right choice depends on what kind of experience you prefer.
Choose Penguins Plus if you:
- ✓ Want the classic Penguin Parade experience with a premium viewing area
- ✓ Prefer watching the penguins arrive from the beach
- ✓ Enjoy being outdoors and experiencing the coastal atmosphere
- ✓ Want a more intimate alternative to General Viewing
Choose Underground Viewing if you:
- ✓ Want a unique close-up perspective
- ✓ Prefer a sheltered viewing area
- ✓ Are interested in observing penguin behaviour up close
- ✓ Want to see the penguins from a different angle
Are Penguin Parade Upgrades Worth It?
For many visitors, General Viewing is already enough to create a memorable experience.
However, if the Penguin Parade is one of the main highlights of your Phillip Island visit, upgrading can add something extra to the evening.
Penguins Plus offers a more intimate outdoor viewing experience, while Underground Viewing provides a completely different perspective that allows you to observe the penguins at eye level.
The best choice depends on whether you prefer the excitement of watching the penguins arrive from the beach or the opportunity to see them from a closer, more sheltered viewpoint.
Can You Add Penguin Parade Upgrades to Your Phillip Island Tour?
Yes. Visitors joining a Phillip Island tour may have the option to upgrade their Penguin Parade viewing experience, depending on availability.
At Go West Tours, both our Phillip Island Day Tour and Phillip Island Express Tour include the Penguin Parade, with upgrade options available for guests who want to enhance their experience.
If you’re unsure which viewing option is right for you, consider what type of experience you value most — the atmosphere of the beach arrival, or the unique perspective of seeing the penguins up close.
Either way, you’ll be experiencing one of Australia’s most memorable wildlife encounters.
Plan Your Phillip Island Visit with Go West Tours
For many visitors, the Penguin Parade is the highlight of their Phillip Island experience.
Whether you choose General Viewing, Penguins Plus, or Underground Viewing, each option offers a unique way to experience the Little Penguins returning home after sunset.
If you’re thinking about joining a tour, we’d love to have you join us. Our Phillip Island Day Tour and Phillip Island Express Tour both include the famous Penguin Parade, giving you the opportunity to experience this incredible wildlife encounter from Melbourne.
Please note that viewing upgrade availability depends on the tour option selected. Penguins Plus may be available on both tours, while Underground Viewing is only available for guests joining the Phillip Island Day Tour.
If you have any questions about our tours or Penguin Parade viewing options, feel free to contact us at info@gowest.com.au. Our team is always happy to help.
